Residents of 27 Bold receive donations

Most residents lost everything in last month’s fire that destroyed a three-storey apartment building on Bold St. Today, tenants were able to pick up a cheque from money raised.

The Pasedena Apartments had 17 units, and no one living there will forget the night of February 20th when it was completely engulfed in flames. The building is 100 years old and it’s historical — one of the oldest in the city.

A few of the residents had renters insurance, but the vast majority did not. Many were left couch-hopping or simply with no place to go. The Durand Neighborhood Association set up a fund in the name of the Pasedena residents, so people could donate money. Hamiltonians and businesses really rallied around the tenants, raising more than $25,000. Each unit was given $1500 each.

Today James Brown and Charlie Chase, two roommates who lived in one of the basement apartments, went to city hall to collect their money. Chase says it will be put to good use: “Every little bit helps right now so we can start rebuilding, start accumulating some of the stuff we lost, again being able to move forward after this.”

Brown: “While there is the frustration and the depression in the first few days, it feels sort of like a opportunity to figure out what is important. I did salvage a few things from the building that were important to me but to be honest everything else is just stuff it can be replaced.”

Chase told CHCH News he lost around $4,000-5,000 worth of stuff, including a laptop, camera and his pet snake.

Anyone still wanting to donate can do so at any FirstOntario Credit Union, account 673606, and let them know its for the Durand Neighborhood Association for the Pasedena Residents. The trust account will be open until the end of May.